Britten Development Day for Suffolk Teachers

In October we launched our Britten as a Boy Education Project - Benjamin Britten: A Lowestoft Childhood.

The day was led by Ruth Wharrier, who created the project after fours years of research into Ben's childhood in Kirkley during the 1920's. Historic England funded the project and the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) day. Local Heritage Education Manager, Kate Argyle, supported throughout the day.

Ruth Wharrier introduces teachers to the Britten as a Boy education resources

Teachers from seventeen Primary schools across the area attended and investigated the resources for KS1 and KS2. These include information about Ben's family and home, his early music and promising talent, family theatricals, school days, Kirkley in the 1920's, the harbour and fishing industry, Lowestoft seaside in the 1920's and Ben's diaries. The project can be delivered as a cross curricular topic or fit into existing curriculum topics, particularly History. 

Suffolk County Music Service contributed to the day and Tracey Rayner (Senior Manager, Singing and Events) led the afternoon session. Using some of Ben’s early compositions as inspiration, Tracey guided the teachers through ideas for teaching to compose in the classroom at both key stages. 

Ruth led the teachers on the Britten as a boy Heritage walk, which can also be viewed as a virtual 360 degree walk from the classroom. This creates opportunities for schools to create dedicated school trips so that pupils can walk in Ben's childhood footsteps.

Ruth Wharrier leads Suffolk teachers on the Britten as a Boy walk. Take the virtual walk or download a map from our education resources page

Walk in Ben’s childhood footsteps by downloading our free booklet Britten: A Lowestoft Childhood

The day was a great success and subsequently some of the attending schools have signed up for Schools Partnership with Britten as a boy statue campaign and will be getting involved in both our education project and fundraising in 2024.

All resources can be downloaded free from our education page and additional resources from Historic England and Suffolk County Music Service are also included for schools.